Networking
VANI promotes and establishes state
level networks for more impact and coherence
in dealing with development issues. We enable
voluntary groups in each state to come
together to identify common causes and to work
together to address them. Aside from VANI's
recent project in this area is its involvement
with the Poorest Area Civil Society programme
(PACS).
PACS aims to strengthen civil society efforts to
improve the quality of life of the poor.
VANI fits |
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into the overall design of the programme by promoting value-based voluntarism for
the rights of women, dalits and the marginalised
sections of society. We believe in building
networks of voluntary organisations in order to
promote a favourable environment for development
organisations that work with the poor and
marginalised.
With support from the Department
for International Development (UK), VANI aims to
build broad-based networks of civil society
organisations in 6 poor states of India.
Update on state
level networking
The PACS programme in six states
undertaken by VANI has been progressing well.
Network building in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and
Bihar has been completed. In case of UP, efforts
have been made to make the existing network (UPVAN)
broad-based and inclusive. Maharashtra and
Chhattisgarh are well on their way closer to
establishing state networks. Brief update on PACS
of respective states is as follows:
Annual
Report of PACS Programme (April 2006 - March
2007)
Annual
Report of PACS Programme (April 2005 - March
2006)
PACS
Objectives
-
Strengthening state-level
networking process to build an enabling
environment for the voluntary sector in
state-specific political situations;
-
Influencing development goals in
favour of the priority communities by dialoguing
with development agencies;
-
Improving governance of voluntary
organisations for greater accountability and
credibility;
-
Creating an enabling environment
and build favourable conditions for the voluntary
sector.
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Our
Approach
VANI is
collaborating with existing PACS Programmes in the
six states. It will facilitate the formation of
new state-level networks by using the strength of
PACS project partners, credible development
organisations and VANI members in these states. In
Uttar Pradesh, however, VANI is working with an
existing network, UP Voluntary Action Network (UP
VAN).
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VANI has
a fulltime state coordinator for each state to
facilitate the process of network formation,
capacity building, linkages, and information
sharing with PACS partners. This direct
intervention is needed to avoid local dynamics
which usually creates obstacles in the formation
of networks.
VANI
brings together a sizable number of voluntary
organisations (VOs) under a common platform.
We will go beyond the
PACS project |
partnership by
involving more organisations interested in
strengthening the cause of voluntarism and evolve
into a larger identity of civil society in the
respective states.
Steps in Building the State-Level
Networks
-
Taking
up a common issue for each state to bring VOs on a
common platform;
-
Bringing
together PACS partners and other strategic
organisations through thematic workshops/seminars;
-
Formalising the networking process through
drafting rules and procedures by constituent
members;
-
Consulting members on a regular basis;
-
Building
the capacity of members in terms of advocacy and
governance.
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Utilising its strength and reach as a
national-level organisation, VANI will facilitate
sharing of experiences between PACS and non-PACS
states. In this manner, strong networks would
inspire and influence others to do the same.
VANI is
committed to its mission and larger goal of
influencing national level policy. It would tap
into the strength of PACS and non-PACS state
networks to influence policies like FCRA/FCMC
bill, Income Tax law and the proposed national
policy for the voluntary sector.
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